Communion by BIOMASS

"Communion" is the debut album from California psychedelic sound collective Biomass.

Inspired by the works of minimalist composers Terry Riley and La Monte Young, Biomass founder Luke Aronie (on guitar), with the help of friends Jesse Garate (saxophone) and Logan Harriman (bass), came up with a written score where the musicians are given the freedom to play intuitively within a given structure. Though based on the groundbreaking indeterminate composition "In C," by American minimalist pioneer Terry Riley, where each player moves along through a series of repeating musical cells at their own pacing, Biomass' debut piece "Communion" offers the players the option to entirely alter the lines and improvise within the feel of each movement. After an initial live trio take in the studio, each Biomass member then improvised as many overdubbed additional layers as they felt necessary to weave an emerging polyrhythmic tapestry. After 15 minutes of hypnotic peaks and discordant, abrasive valleys, a triumphant sax blast ascends to the skies and just sorta ... stays there. Is this forever? The last chord sustains long enough to take the listener beyond expectation, beyond even thought, a moment of pure awareness absorbed in a cosmic sonic embrace. A small note at the bottom of the score reads, "Drone until you hear god" What are these freaks talking about? Just listen to the damn thing and find out.

Biomass "Communion" personnel:
Luke Aronie - guitars, piano, noise
Makani Bright - marimba
Jesse Garate - saxophones, synthesizer
Logan Harriman - bass, loops

“Communion” recorded by Logan Harriman in September, 2020 in Eureka, CA. Additional marimba tracking by Conner West. Mixed by Logan Harriman

“Communion” written by Luke Aronie, Jesse Garate, and Logan Harriman
“Respiration” written and recorded by Jesse Garate
“Chester” written and recorded by Luke Aronie and Jesse Garate

Mastered by Hudson Glover

© & ℗ OPEN HEAD RECORDS 2021

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